Biodiversity is a phenomenon that many people don’t talk much about or value as such because they feel it’s not as important as our lives as human beings.
This is a wrong assumption or notion because biodiversity is all of the earth’s plants, animals, ecosystems and genes.
This include the tallest trees, the smallest insect and the most deadly coral reef ecosystem.
In a nutshell, biodiversity is what allows or make the earth and all its creatures to adapt and survive.
In the opening , I mentioned that many people do not value or recognize this phenomenon of biodiversity probably because of ignorance. Ignorance to fail to realize that as humans we are sorely dependent on biodiversity for survival. Despite, we destroy a large percentage of our natural world!
In our environment , knowingly or otherwise, on daily basis , we destroy other forms of life , sometimes causing extinction of entire species. However,we have the power to change the narrative individually and collectively;we can re-orientate ourselves to act t protect our biodiversity and help to create a sustainable future for life or planet earth.
IS BIODIVERSITY AT RISK OR DANGER?
The answer is rhetorical whether biodiversity is at risk or danger, We are losing biodiversity at alarming rate ! Many of these are disappearing everyday and may not be replaced if prompt caution is not taken.
In his book’’HERCOLUBUS’’ or ‘’RED PLANET’’, V.M. Raboli writes,’’There are large very deep cracks along the seabed,which already making contact with the fire within the earth’’.
‘’This is happening precisely because of nuclear test that scientists and powers-(they believe themselves to be powers), are carrying out’’.
He goes further,’’They do not measure the consequences of the atrocities they have committed against the planet and against humanity’’.
Why is this so?The fire within the earth according to Rabolu , has already started to make contact with the water and cyclones have started to appear.
North Americans call it’The El Nino Phenomenon. It is not ‘El Nino’ it is the contact between the fire within the Earth and the water, and this is spreading in the ocean.
As cracks develop, tidal waves, earthquakes and frightening occurrences in water and on land will take place. There will not be a single coastal town that will not be devastated….’’
According to Rabolu, there are already monsters-wild beasts – on the sea beds,which have been feeding on nuclear energy. The increase in temperature of the water will make them come out and seek refuge because they are no longer safe in their habitats.
Land, sea, environments pollution ,coupled with over-exploitation of mineral resources cause destruction and degradation of land and water ecosystems.
Also, mass scale clearing , over harvesting and burning of forests for agriculture , mining and development are enemies to biodiversity.
Introduction of Invasive Species
Invasive species are organism that successfully establish themselves in native ecosystems and then take over. They are usually transported to new areas by humans. Often invasive species kill off species of plants or animals that are native to the area. This process, together with habitat destruction have been a major cause of extinction of native species all over the world for many decades. Ecosystem can also bring great aesthetic loss.
Excessive Exploitation
Excessive exploitation also contributes to adverse effect on biodiversity. This includes over-fishing and hunting of games(animals)
Fish populations the world over, are beong depleted , illegal hunting and poaching to satisfy the demand for animal products are threats to biodiversity.
It is however interesting to note that one hundred and forty-six(146) countries have signed the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CIES),which aims at ensuring protection of endangered species.
However, international trade in endsangered species contiunues to be a major threat to wildlife all over the world.
Economic/Social Effects
Biodiversity loss affects a country’s economic system and human society. Human beings rely on various plants, animals, and other organisms for food , building materials, medicines and their availability commodities are important to many cultures.
Therefore, the loss of biodiversity , among these critical natural resources, threaten global food security and the development of new pharmaceuticals to deal with future diseases..
Global Warming
Burning of fossil fuels causes pollution and global warming both of which put biodiversity at risk.
Surprisingly , Scientists have predicted that global warming will worsen in the coming decades, causing big changes in our global climate system.
It should be noted that as of today, climate change is already affecting people, plants and anim,als around the world.
Half of the volume of Europe’s Alpine glaciers has been lost since 1850 , and the United States of America’s (USA) Government predicts that all glaciers in Montana’s Glaciers National Park will be lost !
Orthodox and Traditional Medicine
Orthodox and Traditional medicines can be derived from the chemical in rare plants and animals; therefore, lost species indicates a big loss of opportunities to treat and cure diseases.
For instance, scientists have proved that several species of Fungi found on hairs of three-toed sloths, produce medicines effective against parasites that cause malaria(plasmodium falciparum) and as well other plants to treat and cure human breast cancer.
Way Forward
- We should be careful and give adequate attention to biodiversity because
, the loss of genes and individuals threatens the long term survival of a specie as mates become scarce and the risks of inbreeding multiply when closely related to survival mates.
The wholesale loss of populations also increases the risks that a particular specie will become extinct!!!
To address the challenge of biodiversity, we need to look directly to the conservation challenges posed by some underlying drivers.
Conservation biologists believe that these problems could be overcome using combined efforts of Public Policy and Economic Solutions assisted by consisted monitoring and public enlightenment(education).
This can be in form of symposia, radio kingles, television adverts, short drama, town hall meetings and many other strategies to sensitize people at the grassroots and urban dwellers.
Governments, non-governmental organizations and the scientific communities must have a symbiotic relationship to create incentives to preserve natural habitats and protect the species within them from unwarranted harvesting..
The unwholesome behaviours that contribute to habitat loss and degradation –eg. Falling of trees unnecessarily, unsupervised mining activities must be considered when creating new farmland and human living spaces.
Government must enact laws that prevent poaching (illegal catch or shoot animals, birds or fish , especially private lands without permission) and indiscriminate trade in wildlife must be checked and improved.
Also, shipping materials at ports must be inspected for stow-away organism just as it is done for passengers on board.
Nonetheless, developing and implementing solutions for each of these causes of biodiversity loss will relieve the pressure on species and ecosystem in their own way , but to prevent continued biodiversity loss is to protect the remaining species from over hunting of games(animals, birds..) and over fishing and stop nuclear tests in the ocean, in order to keep their habitats and the ecosystems they rely on intact.